XL Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Canadian trio Badbadnotgood have made us wait for Talk Memory, their fifth album. Arriving a decade after their first full-length, and some five years since the release of their acclaimed fourth LP, it's a much more expansive and cinematic affair than its predecessors - both in scope (it includes more nods towards post-rock and jazz-rock, for example) and sound (a number of tracks feature string arrangements by Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai). It's a dazzling affair all told, with the band's choice of improvisational composition techniques and an impressive guest list (Laraaju, Karriem Roggins, Terrace Martin and Brandee Younder all appear) resulting in a string of epic, life-affirming compositions. Picking highlights is tough, but we'd suggest checking slow-burn, constantly building epic 'Signal to the Noise' and the buzzing, psychedelic jazz-rock of 'Beside April'.